West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-03-17
HoHE or THEzuNI>.
An Interesting visit the Ancient
Home OF the CIifT DwcIIers.
LAS VEGAS, \. VI. MARCEL n

Home OF the CIiTT DwcIIcrs.
LAS VEGAs,N. 81. March IN
EEIroR ARGUS II left Preston Coun-
ty more than two years ago to seek my
fortune in.this section of Great America.
Iteceivo your paper regularly and it is
always like a letter from home. I have
met but few West Virginians here and
consequently cannot write OF persons
or things with which Prostonians arc ac-
quaintcd, Probably many Of your read
ers have heard Of the GIN Dwollers OF the
southwest, but more than likely few have
ever witnessed these sights OF antiquity,
as they bavo been penetrated by only a
small number Of inhabitants Of these
parts, owing 90 tho hostile state Of the
Apache Indians. We'll, on leaving Socor-
10, about the center Of this Territory,
WITH our burros packed with provisions
for a six months prospecting trip, we
four i'm Number. travelled west over hills
Of sand and mountains OF rock, picking
our way through cactus and sage. for
distance OF 100 miles, we brought up at
Old Xunis To describe these houses
built I'm the side walls OF the cahon I'm
which they aIo located, Will probably
never fully be told, as they have Deen
unoccUpied for tho past century We
built our campfire, prepared supper, and
waited for the morning sun, at which
limo We DEVISED our plan how to ascend
this mammoth ledge Of rock TO the en-
trance of the houses, which are located
midway up the elf, some $50 feet from
tho base. Finally we gathered together
ropes ana raw hides enough 10 reach from
the top Of the c!in To the bottom Of the
canon. This done, two our party proceed
elm a round about way TO reach tie
summit OF the rocks SO asto ia,ten the
ropes securely, enabling US TO climb to
the entrance. After making our ascent
we were somewhat surprised To- find
what appeared from the bottom to be a
comparatively small town, mammoth
cavern for capacity of nothing less than
10000 souls our entrance seemed what
was used as their halfway, running back
through the granite rock Tor a distance Of
nearly thousand feet, then extending
on both sides were apartment which
were the contor uithis hill-way WAS an
other passage leading in the opposite di-
recuom, added TO which arc still others Of
less dimensions. After exploring csc
passages OF darkness VIC began to inves-
tigate tho rooms. In many places we
found things left as though it were but
yesterday tho inhabitonts were living
there as POTTERY of all kinds carvings oGaII
description. stone hammers, carved,
idols, Gods, carving OF tar
rantulas, snakes, boasts OF the forest. Get
In one Of these openings we found sKeI-
eton, which was once the tall, straight
form OF Zuni, but from years of decay
was now but the crumbled slack aa soft
as ashes. The largest room, we all decid
Oh as having been their council chambe
as nothing of impOrtants w9s found there
save pieces Of paint and what appeared to
be- musical instruments made entirely of
wood, which were yet as hard AS iron,
and were most likely used at their war
dance. In the conner of this vacancy
stood the largest carving we fonnd which
was made to indicate their God of saliva
ton, Or God OF war. After gathering
what trinkets desired, we proceeded to
retire. Instead of descending we ascend